Sport at the Kooringal Hotel

Raudonikis Reveals Regard For City Of ‘Good People’ While Platten Shared Tale
Of A Different Erra Ahead Of The Massive Grand Final Weekend

04.10.11

On Friday 30th September, the Kooringal Hotel hosted NRL funny man Tommy Raudonikis and AFL legend John ‘The Rat’ Platten as they shared some laughs and analysis on all things football on the eve of the biggest weekend of the Australian sporting calendar.

100 guests turned out to meet and greet two icons of the game and were treated to a 3 course, all inclusive lunch. Guests were taken on a journey of past and present with a cross code analysis on the eve of both the AFL and NRL Grand Finals.

Hosted by stand up funny man MIKE VAN ACKER, the Kooringal Hotel Sportsman's Lunch featured guest speakers Tommy ‘The Cattledog’ Raudonikis and John ‘The Rat’ Platten.
Raudonikis was born in Cowra but moved to Wagga when he was young to join the airforce. He lived in the city for two-and-a-half years and was playing for Wagga Kangaroos when he was re-posted to Sydney on the recommendation of former Australian captain Arthur Summons.

Raudonikis made his debut for Western Suburbs in 1969 and went on to play for 10 years and 204 games at the club, before switching to Newtown in 1980 and finishing his career there. He also represented NSW on 22 occasions and played 20 tests for Australia, and was the premier Australian halfback during the 1970s.

Raudonikis told the Daily Advertiser; "I've been back a few times, but I feel like I'm part of the town because it gave me a bit of a start with my footy. They're good people here and I enjoy coming back every time I do."

Platten, now 48, was head-hunted by Hawthorn and Carlton after winning the Magarey Medal for best and fairest player in the SANFL, and made his AFL debut in 1986. He went on to play 258 games and kicked 228 goals as a rugged onballer, and shared the 1987 Brownlow Medal with Tony Lockett.

Platten won four premierships with the Hawks and played in one losing grand final.

The charismatic pair charmed audiences at the Kooringal Hotel last Friday, an afternoon filled with “good food, great laughs and good company” said Kooringal Hotel Venue Manager, Nic Barnett.

“We have a great local sporting club relationship with many of our Sponsors including the Southcity Bulls achieving great success this year. I am excited to be able to bring this interest built event to the Wagga community” continued Nic.

See below for further news on the Kooringal Hotel’s Sportsmans Lunch.
Daily Advertiser, 01.10.11
http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/news/local/sport/football-australian-rules/hawk-swoops-in/2310063.aspx
Daily Advertiser; 01.1011
http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/news/local/sport/rugby-league/raudonikis-reveals-regard-for-city-of-good-people/2310064.aspx

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The Kooringal Hotel’s Southcity Bulls Claim Historic Victory
In The Group Nine Grand Final

26.09.11

As the sun went down over Wagga late yesterday, the Kooringal Hotel buzzed with life amid the historic Group Nine Premiership win by sponsors Southcity Bulls.

TIME almost up, and searching for a hero, Southcity found the perfect player as Peter Little delivered the Bulls a historic Group Nine premiership triumph at Equex Centre yesterday. In a finish for the ages, Little slipped an absolute miracle pass for diminutive winger Kane Marriott to score a try to give Southcity a heart-stopping 20-18 victory over Gundagai.

With only 51 seconds left, Little's lethal play for Marriott was yet another killer blow for the premiership-starved Tigers. Amid the carnage of Gundagai's shattered dream, Southcity was left to stand tall as the youngest king of Group Nine football.

Formed when Turvey Park and Magpies lurched into amalgamation in 2005, Southcity came of age with a vengeance yesterday, denying a Group Nine title to a club with 91 years of heritage. Since their inception in 2005, the Kooringal Hotel has been a proud sponsor of the Southcity Bulls, providing the much need financial assistance and social culture that drove yesterday’s historic win and the ensuing celebrations.

Kooringal Hotel Venue Manager, Nic Barnett said: “We have a long and enjoyable relationship with the Southcity Bulls and to see them take out the premiership in such a compelling way was remarkable. The Kooringal Hotel could not be prouder of the clubs efforts and are just so pleased to know that our support in some small way made all of this possible.”

“I expect the celebrations here at the hotel to continue for some time!” continued Nic.

In other news; the Kooringal Hotel’s Wagga United Football Club also claimed Grand Final bragging rights last week, however were narrowly defeated in what was a nail biting grand final.